re: Poison Ivy Contagious Period

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That's what they say.

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It's true, but it isn't true. Once cleaned off, the rash can't spread the reaction to another person. However, any residual oil can blister another person on contact, particularly if that person is sensitive - see above with my golden retriever scenario.

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They also say that it doesn't spread beyond where the oils initially touched, as in you can't spread it by scratching it.

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Again - the problem comes with people not understanding the exposure. You can touch the leaves and stems all day long - as long as nothing is broken and no urushiol is excreted. Once you get the oil on you hand, until it is gone, you can exposure yourself. How do you contact many things? With your hand. How do you scratch? With your hand.

Also, the "spreading" illusion makes perfect sense - you get a drop of oil on you and sweat/gravity will naturally draw it away from that initial point - thus it makes a line (in decreasing severity) - you see your skin's reaction to it and it appears to have "spread".

But, as long as you're not exposing yourself to the oil - you will not react.

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But based on 34 years of living, I honestly don't believe either one of those things.

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Fair enough, but science is against you - just FYI.